MARILYN BAKER answers Tony Cummings' questions.

Marilyn Baker

Tony: You've been a mainstay of Christian music ministry in the UK for many years now. What has kept you working in the field so long?

Marilyn: It's the excitement of seeing people open up to the love of God. I've always had a deep burden for those who once they become Christians, and the initial thrill has slightly diminished, find there are uphill struggles to face, and they begin to flounder a bit. Well, that's where my songs have come along at the right time bringing them awareness of God's tremendous love and strength and all the resources and help he wants to pour out on them. I feel very privileged to be a part of that encouraging and strengthening work in their lives.

Tony: If you had to choose two or three absolute highlights from your ministry, what would they be?

Marilyn: One of the most wonderful things we heard about was a lady who had been convicted of murder and put into a secure wing of a ladies' prison. She had lost all hope and decided she wanted to die. That evening she was going to commit suicide, but the prison chaplain brought her in a tape of mine. As she listened, she said she felt all desire to die leaving her, and in the quietness of that moment she asked the Lord to forgive her and help her, she gave her life to Jesus that night. She is still going on with him today.

Another exciting moment for me was when Word UK presented me with a Gold Disc on the 10th anniversary of my ministry, well it's my 20th celebrations this year! Another time was when I met Sir Cliff Richard at the Royal Albert Hall in order to receive a prize for Lee Abbey for a songwriting competition that we had been working on at a music week there. And another exciting moment came when I had to get from one side of Holland to the other to do a live concert and radio broadcast within a very short time. I was escorted by police on motorbikes and we were going at a very high speed. We only just made it! I loved it!!

Tony: Kingsway have just re-released two of your albums, 'Changing Me' and 'Overflow Of Worship'. Looking back, what do you think of these two albums and what are their particular strengths?

Marilyn: They are both very different. 'Changing Me' was recorded in the States, and the style is quite dramatic and expansive, but it also has some very tender moments. I worked with some wonderful musicians on that one, and in the song "Can A Mother Forget Her Little Child?", it felt like we hardly dare breathe for fear of losing the incredible atmosphere.

'Overflow Of Worship' has some deeply intimate songs, like the "Father's Song Of Love" where God is telling people the love he feels in his heart for them. But it also has an excellent variety of songs, produced by Steve Thompson. The black gospel-type song "Seeing Is Believing" is arranged just as I imagined it could be. A couple of my young sound engineers really go for that one!

Tony: You don't seem to be touring as much as you did a few years ago. Is there still an interest do you think in your kind of music?

Marilyn: Definitely; I am amazed sometimes how much there seems to be still and there is always a very positive response to the concerts. But we are doing things slightly differently now. As well as doing tours, we have started to run Refreshment And Renewal conferences for people who need to come away from pressures and re-charge their batteries. My partner in the ministry, Tracy, who is herself deaf, is a very gifted communicator with a real prophetic edge to what she brings and though she does not hear people so well, she really has an ear tuned into the Lord, so she brings a lot of the teaching, and a team of people come with us to offer prayer ministry, etc. This is an exciting development for us and we hope to expand this side of the work in particular, but we love doing concerts, workshops and church encouragement weekends too, and would love to come to any of your churches.

Tony: Who would you say is a typical Marilyn Baker fan?

Marilyn: Well now, that's a difficult question. We still have a broad age range. A little girl of five told me the other day she loves to dance to my songs and I often get young people in their teens and 20s saying the songs and concerts have spoken to them. The latest album, 'Overflow Of Worship', has appealed to younger people too. But audiences are getting a bit older now, so maybe I could say that people in their 40s and 50s appreciate the songs particularly, as a lot of my music is relaxing and kind of easy listening. Older people too say they like it because they can "hear the words!"

Tony: What are your opinions on the younger worship artists who've come along, like Delirious? and Matt Redman?

Marilyn: Many of the young bands today have tremendous zeal and anointing and are doing a great job in helping people to see that Christian music can have a modern feel, not just coming out of the ark! Someone said once, that the music we present to the world is our shop window. I was at music college myself at one time and felt very strongly then that Christian music was poor, so to see the way standards of recording and professionalism have risen is very encouraging. But I find that some songs are a bit same-ish these days. There doesn't seem to be much variety at times. There needs to be more songs with easier melodies for people to get hold of, but with words that are relevant and challenging and excite us too.

Tony: Is there any dream or ambition you still feel you need to fulfill?

Marilyn: I would like to have done more ministry in America maybe. But apart from that, my greatest ambition/dream is that I become more and more open to the Holy Spirit's leading. I long for Jesus to be able to work through our concerts and conferences to bring many into real hope, refreshment and deep healing in their lives. So they can become all that God planned for them to be in this world. Also, having a disability myself, I long to see people in churches with disabilities really being accepted and used in their giftings. People often feel that disabled people need to be supported and helped, and that is true, but we have a lot to give too into the life of the church.